Life-sciences firm PharmOptima LLC is requesting a tax abatement on $2.8 million worth of new equipment and improvements at its 6710 and 6740 Quality Way facilities in Portage.

The Portage City Council heard the request during its regular Tuesday-night meeting and voted to set a public hearing on the matter on Sept. 25.

PharmOptima is a contract research company that specializes in accelerating drug development. The company, which has about 30 employees, relocated from the Western Michigan University Business Technology and Research Park in June and has leased the property at 6740 Quality Way, located south of the 6710 Quality Way property.

The particulars of PharmOptima's request:

What: An application for a tax abatement on $2.8 million in equipment acquisition, facility improvements and machinery.

Where: 6710 and 6740 Quality Way, Portage.

At 6740 Quality Way: A six-year, 50 percent abatement on $812,500 of real property and a three-year, 50 percent abatement on $605,388 worth of personal property.

Giving up: The city would forego tax revenues of about $11,868 over six years.

Gaining: Ten jobs are to be added to the existing 24 jobs at the site. The estimated additional economic benefit from the investment is $741,869.

At 6710 Quality Way: A six-year, 50 percent abatement on $623,506 of real property and a three-year, 50 percent abatement on $785,923 worth of personal property.

Giving up: The city would forego tax revenues of about $10,551 over six years.

Gaining: Ten jobs are to be added to the six existing jobs at the facility. Estimated additional economic benefit is $741, 869. The average annual income of the new positions at both facilities is $63,625.